The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is looking for a detailee (applicants welcome from any federal agency) to take the lead in organizing a new effort to mobilize NGO assistance in the wake of oil spills and hazardous chemical releases. This is a 3 to 6 month position with a start date any time in March or April. As a detail position, the successful candidate will continue to be paid by his/her home agency.

Every year, NOAA responds to hundreds of such disasters across the nation. Our goal is to hold the line: to restore the environment to the state it was in before the injury. Maintaining national readiness is crucial because we never know when or where the next incident will occur.

Many NGOs have expressed interest in helping us, but we have not yet explored the possibilities (and limitations) of how we might take advantage of their substantial skills and energy.

Drawing on NOAA’s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP) staff, the detailee would be responsible for helping NOAA assess the opportunities, challenges and legal and safety requirements for NGO participation. Depending on the length of the detail, the individual selected may also be expected to craft a plan to engage these organizations (via workshops, webinars, and/or other means).

It is our hope that by working more closely with NGOs we can speed and strengthen environmental recovery in the wake of disasters. We anticipate that NGOs might be able to help by providing:

Volunteer assistance in the immediate aftermath of a disaster

Expertise on resources in the area

Stewardship and oversight after restoration is completed

Long-term data collection

We are looking for someone with an interest in environmental conservation, strong analytical skills, and a creative, independent spirit. You will also need the ability to translate technical concepts into plain English. Project management experience would also be a plus. Please send resume and cover letter to Renata Lana at [email protected].